The late Raymond Walter “Johnny” Apple, Jr. assumed many roles over his 40-plus-year career at The New York Times: bureau chief in Albany, Lagos, Nairobi, Saigon, Moscow, London, and Washington D.C.; correspondent during 10 presidential races; Vietnam War reporter — and truly passionate eater. This last role gets top billing in a new collection of Apple’s artciles that is fiesty, painstakingly researched, and often simply mouthwatering. The more than 50 essays in Far Flung and Well Fed ($27; St. Martin’s Press) first appeared in Saveur, the Times, and Town & Country. Apple began compiling the book before his death in 2006; his stepdaughter Catherine Collins stepped in to finish it with the editors. Organized geographically, the book follows Apple’s travels throught the Americas, Europe, and Asia. The collection describes characters such as Oregon morel hunter Jack Czarneck; tidy history lessons, like how the popularity of San Marzano tomatoes led to the rise of the Italian canning industry in the 1800s; and regional cuisines, celebrating, for example, Philadelphia’s water ices, cheesesteaks, hoagies, scrapple, and soft pretzels.

Apple, well-versed in virtually all culinary styles and subjects, kept a small bag packed with Tabasco sauce and a tiny pepper mill in case of a sudden call abroad. As his friend Calvin Trillin once wrote: “Apple is someone who seems equally famished whether he’s sitting down to dinner at a three-star French restaurant or at a crab shack; he is what A.J. Liebling would have called, admiringly, a feeder.”

From the Fall 2009 issue of Sherman’s Travel magazine.

Choosing from the seemingly endless array of travel applications for iPhones and other mobile devices can be tough. Our picks pair the useful and the user-friendly.

iMedjet This virtual first-aid kit offers remedies for jet lag and nausea, and explains how to set broken bones.

Urban Spoon, Yelp, Zagat Locate eateries and read reviews and menus.

Truphone, Skype Make long-distance calls over the Web and save some serious money. Read the rest of this post »

Few places in the world compare to Bora Bora – a quintessential tropical isle in French Polynesia showcasing white-sand beaches, flower-scented breezes, and idyllic coves. Since getting to paradise can be a lengthy affair (it’s eight hours by plane from Los Angeles to Tahiti, plus another hour to connect), why not treat yourself to an once-in-a-lifetime experience once you land? The Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa just unveiled brand-new over-the-water presidential villas that necessitate a splurge, if you’ve got the pocket change to spare. Read the rest of this post »

Gadget junkies on-the-go, rejoice. The world’s first lineup of wire-free charging solutions has arrived, and it’s set to change the way your technology travels. Earlier this month, the Powermat (pictured) debuted as one of the first commercially produced wireless charging systems available on the mass market, with a simple “drop and charge” design enabling up to three different gadgets to be charged simultaneously (and cord-free) on a thin magnetic pad outfitted with a universal receiver called a Powercube. Read the rest of this post »

Gilt Groupe, a members-only site hocking the latest designer fashions at up to 70% off retail prices, is bringing its bargains to the world of luxury travel. Known for daily “flash-sales” on limited quantities of inventory ranging from coveted Marc Jacobs bags to gorgeous Oscar de la Renta gowns, Gilt is applying its successful fashion model to new sister site, Jetsetter. Launched September 30 in Beta form, Jetsetter features a swank layout of drool-worthy deals on high-end hotels, cruises, and tours at values not available to the mass market (typically 30-40% lower than standard rates). Read the rest of this post »

Despite China’s 21st century emergence as a major economic power, a lot of the country still remains hidden behind closed doors . . . but not for long. On September 23, Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific launched brand new China Experience tours designed by local experts to provide unparalleled VIP access to normally off-limits attractions. Starting at $3,000 a pop, these all-inclusive, ultra-exclusive expeditions offer behind-the-scenes peaks of protected heritage sites scattered throughout Beijing, Xian, and Shanghai – like The Forbidden City’s Imperial Palace tea room, Xian’s national treasure vault, and Pit #5 of the famous Terracotta Warrior Museum (normally only open to archeologists). In addition to dining with locals in a traditional courtyard (“hutong”) and taking private tai-chi lessons, visitors can explore the better-known Great Wall and Tiananmen Square (pictured). Read the rest of this post »

Until recently, most visitors to Jordan barreled through the country on day trips to historic Petra from Jerusalem. But a spate of new luxury resorts and sensory experiences—the likes of which Israel has yet to produce—now makes overnighting here a must.

The Evason Ma’In Hot Springs & Six Senses Spa (from $170/night) opened last February at the base of hot springs that, legend has it, King Herod once frequented. An hour’s drive southwest of Amman, the resort provides perks such as an alfresco movie theater, a clifftop restaurant overlooking the Dead Sea, and spa treatments using Dead Sea salt, local dates, and honey. Read the rest of this post »

Given that 16th-century Jesuit missionaries cultivated the first grapevines of Chile’s Colchagua Valley, it seems right to bunk up at one of their former haciendas when visiting the region. Such is the allure of Residencia Histórica de Marchihue (from $200/night), an 18th-century estate transformed by its new owners into a 22-room hotel.

Set in the small town of Marchihue, a 40-minute drive from the region’s hub of Santa Cruz, the Residencia feels utterly remote (especially when trying to find it after dark). Once there, guests will discover a serene little sanctum, guarded by towering eucalyptus, rose bushes, and fruit trees. From a large garden, the amiable, talented young chef Pablo Galvez culls many of his ingredients (the hotel raises hens, ducks, and chickens as well). Read the rest of this post »

With vineyard land in Napa Valley growing ever more scarce and expensive, vintners are increasingly specializing in Cabernet Sauvignon, the grape best suited to the valley and one with an exceptional track record. For most wineries, their Cab defines them—but not all Cabs are created equal. Luckily, in Napa this big red is made well at every price point; you just have to know where to look. These bottles have national distribution, so you can find them back home, too.

Villa Mt. Eden, Grand Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2005, $17
This is a great gateway Cabernet: It’s relatively soft and smooth and more like Merlot than some—perfect for Cab beginners. It has fig and berry flavors and just a touch of the charming bell pepper taste characteristic of this grape.

Beaulieu Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford 2005, $30
Founded in 1900, the historic Beaulieu Vineyard impresses with this lovely wine at a very reasonable price. There’s a dusting of licorice flavor, along with the classic Cab note of cherry. Its slightly chewy texture means that it pairs nicely with grilled meats.

Chappellet Winery, Signature Cabernet, Sauvignon Napa, Valley 2006, $42
Chappellet isn’t as well known as some Napa wineries, especially on the East Coast. But this family-owned operation should be at the forefront of any Cab lover’s mind. Sweet fruit is the focus, with blackberry and plum tastes accented by dark chocolate.

Rubicon Estate, Rubicon, Rutherford 2005, $145
When filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola bought the Inglenook estate (and rebranded it Rubicon), many doubted that he and his team could craft wines worthy of its legacy. But their flagship wine—a big, brooding beauty—shows that value can apply even to a wine that’s fairly pricey. It’s good now and will taste even better in five years. Don’t rush it.

From the Summer 2009 issue of Sherman’s Travel magazine

At least three new cultural spaces are turning heads this summer: 1) The new Jean Nouvel–designed Danmarks Radio Concert Hall of Copenhagen (pictured) wears an electric blue sheath. Inside, its four venues of various sizes include digs for the Danish National Symphony Orchestra. 2) In May, the massive Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago opened to the public. Renzo Piano designed the glass-and-limestone structure to house the museum’s modern and contemporary collections. 3) Winding describes both Zaha Hadid’s futuristic design of the MAXXI in Rome and its prolonged gestation. And now Italy has its first national museum of contemporary art and architecture at last.